Carla Sue Sanchez, of Clinton, Ok, passed away at the age of 77 on September 25, 2022. Sue was born in Elk City, Ok November 20, 1944 to Delmar and Alene Robinson.
Sue “Robinson” grew up in Strong City, Ok, attending Strong City Elementary until the school closed then attending Junior High School and High School in Cheyenne, Ok. She later attended Panhandle State University, graduating in 1968, where she earned her degree in physical education and health.
She loved telling stories about her school years from Strong City to Panhandle State. Her love of sports started early, especially her love of basketball. She played on the boys’ team when there weren’t enough players for a girls’ team and laughed as she told about her junior high school team beating the high school girls’ team. She also loved telling stories of playing intramural basketball in college and her brother Gary coaching the team. Sue loved people and made an impact on so many lives. She developed friendships during these years that would remain strong throughout her life.
Through a college connection, Sue found out about a teaching position in Mountainair, NM.
Up for the adventure she packed her new Gran Torino and moved to Mountainair. Not long after she began teaching, she met Apolonio Toby Sanchez and the two married in 1970. They established a wonderful life in Mountainair, building a home they shared for the next 34 years.
As an educator, Sue was a role model for countless girls who she taught how to think outside the norm and find their voices. She retired from teaching after 25 years but the students she taught were always near to her heart. She would happily display pictures of their families and share their letters. During Toby and Sue’s final years together they split their time between their homes in Mountainair and Yucca Valley, Ca.
Sue began her last big adventure after Toby passed away in 2004 and moved back “home” to Clinton, OK, where she could be near lifelong friends and family.
Sue became an active member and figure in the Arapaho Baptist Church. She helped organize luncheons and vacation bible school, taught Sunday school, and was widely known for being the outreach correspondent for the church. The cards she sent on behalf of the church were a blessing to so many.
Sue was a staunch conservative Republican and patriot, who loved Ronald Reagan, George W.
Bush, talk radio, especially Rush Limbaugh. She was a collector of many things, especially anything Coca-Cola.
She was an Oklahoman through and through, supporting both OSU and OU sports, unless they were playing each other, then it was OU ALL the way.
Sue exemplified a life of service. She was a servant to her Lord and Savior through her many church duties, she was a caregiver to so many around her, she was a voice of reason or an understanding ear to those in need, and she was a friend. She will be missed by so many.
Sue was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Toby Sanchez, and brother Farrell Robinson.
She is survived by her brother, Gary Robinson of Butler, OK; her niece and nephews – Debbie and Joe Powders of Freedom, OK, Gaylon and Sherry Robinson of Cimmaron, KS, and Tammy and Brendan Fangman of Dumas, TX; great nieces and nephews – Kelsy and Justin Boots (Bella and Rowdy), Jesse and Coli Selman (Cooper), Baylee Powders, and Macy Fangman.
Sue is also survived by her large extended family in New Mexico and those who became like family in Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arapaho, OK Baptist Church and to the Strong City, OK Cemetery fund.